News

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are increasingly attracting millions of users, but also cybercriminals, as a successful attack means maximum profit with little risk. This also applies to "ether," the most widely used cryptocurrency after Bitcoin. As a precautionary measure, researchers at the CISPA Helmholtz Center i.G. at Saarland University have developed a methodology for this cryptocurrency that not only finds security vulnerabilities, but also uses them to automatically develop attacks. The result: they found 815 security holes that allow 1564 attacks. The Saarbrucken computer scientists present their approach on Wednesday at the international USENIX Security Symposium in Baltimore, USA.

Partners

Core Partners

The scientific activities within the Cluster of Excellence are enhanced by the interaction of the university and the high-profile research institutes with which it collaborates. This spirit of cooperation helps foster a truly inspired relationship between research and education.

Saarland University – Department of Computer Science

The university groups involved with the cluster have consistently received top rankings in such studies as CHE and the Nebel Citation Study. The broad range of research areas addressed by the cluster is reflected in rich course offerings and a multitude of research projects. Faculty members are all renowned leaders in their fields and the participating groups all share a long and successful history of collaboration.

Saarland University – Department of Language Science and Technology

Internationally renowned faculty and staff have made Saarbrücken one of the leading centers for computational linguistics study and research worldwide. The department offers independent degree programs at all levels, in an environment offering state-of-the-art courses and opportunities to work with leading researchers.

Max Planck Institute for Informatics (MPI-INF)

Located centrally on the university campus in close proximity to the computer science department, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics conducts cutting-edge research in informatics with a focus on algorithms and their applications. The research ranges from foundations (algorithms and complexity, programming logics) to a variety of application domains (computer graphics, geometric computation, constraint solving, computational biology, databases and information systems).

German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI GmbH)

The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI GmbH) is Germany's leading research center in the area of innovative software technology for commercial application. In the international scientific community, DFKI is recognized as one of the most important "centers of excellence" for its proven ability to rapidly apply cutting-edge research to commercial industry.

Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (MPI-SWS)

The Max Planck Institute for Software Systems was established in November 2004. Its purpose is to conduct research in all areas related to the design, analysis, modeling, implementation, and evaluation of complex software systems. Particular areas of interest include programming systems, distributed and networked systems, embedded and autonomous systems, as well as crosscutting aspects such as formal modeling and analysis of software systems, security, dependability, and software engineering.